Orange County Boards

Candidate research and notes focused on issues relevant to Israel and the Jewish community

Voter Guide Designations and Criteria – JCAN’s Perspectives

Next to each candidate’s name you will find a color box which reflects our overall assessment of their favorability related specifically to the issues relevant to our OC Jewish community. The criteria used for each ‘box’ is listed below.

Green Squares = Favorable Positions/ No Immediate Concerns noted

Examples include favorable meetings with JCAN, in which the candidate expresses support for policies that promote Jewish community safety, OR public statements supportive of Jewish community safety, including in responses to our questionnaire; AND no other items warranting red flags.

🎗

Green Squares with a Gold Ribbon = Proven Upstander for the Jewish Community

Gold ribbons have been reserved for candidates who have previously held elected office and have taken concrete measures in support of our community. This includes measures such as calendaring of Holocaust Remembrance or Jewish American Heritage Month; standing up against discussions of anti-Israel agenda items; intervening on our behalf with other state and local authorities, and/or supporting our lobbying efforts in Sacramento.

⚠ caution

Yellow Squares = Some Cause for Concern

Assigned to candidates where we have identified issues that give us pause for concern. This may include inconsistent voting records or declining to complete our questionnaire.

Red = Red Flags are Present

Examples include:

Opposition to or abstention from legislation in support of the Jewish community (e.g., AB715).

Endorsement by CAIR, DSA, Code Pink, or other groups flagged in our index of bad actors.

Stated or demonstrated intention to use their local office to affect matters outside their jurisdiction.

Support for legislation that would harm the Jewish community (e.g., AB2159)

Public statements demonizing or delegitimizing Israel or otherwise applying double standards to Israel [As with the IHRA definition of antisemitism, ordinary criticism of Israel or Israeli policy would not be a red flag.]

Public statements vilifying candidates receiving donations from Jewish or pro-Israel groups.

Refusal to apply existing, otherwise neutral rules, such as time, place, and manner restrictions, or codes of decorum, to unlawful conduct by anti-Jewish groups.

Platforming or being platformed by known anti-Jewish figures (such as Hasan Piker, Nick Fuentes, etc.).

Calling for or endorsing violence against Jews.

White = insufficient information to make an evaluation at this stage

County and Education Board Candidates

Profiles are grouped by office and district, with campaign links, available public references, endorsements, community notes, and questionnaire status.

Candidate Profiles
OC Board of Supervisors — District 2

Vicente Sarmiento (i)

JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

No response given

Relevant Notes

In August 2025, posted a statement on “the need to stop weapons sales to Israel.” Frequently associates with CAIR.

Select Endorsements

Governor Gavin Newsom, DPOC, Working Families Party, Orange County Labor Federation (OCLF), CHISPA, OC Register

Nelida Mendoza

DemocratNo verified campaign website foundCampaign EmailBallotpedia
JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Response to Questionnaire 2026

Relevant Notes

Former Santa Ana city council member.

Select Endorsements

Lincoln Club OC

Kimberly Davis

NonpartisanNo verified campaign website foundNo usable campaign email listed Campaign WebsiteInstagram
JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Unable to send

Relevant Notes

Not provided.

Select Endorsements

N/A

James Wallace

RepublicanCampaign WebsiteNo usable campaign email listedBallotpedia Instagram
JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Unable to send

Relevant Notes

Not provided.

Select Endorsements

California Republican Assembly

OC Board of Supervisors — District 4

Connor Traut

JCAN Perspective ⚠ caution
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Response to Questionnaire 2026

Relevant Notes

Recognized International Holocaust Remembrance as Mayor of Buena Park.

Select Endorsements

DPOC, Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys, Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631, Orange County Employees Association, Orange County Labor Federation

Fred Jung

JCAN Perspective 🎗
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Response to Questionnaire 2026

Relevant Notes

Stated in a meeting that he believes in Israel’s right to defend itself; blocked a ceasefire resolution in Fullerton as mayor; attended JCC International Holocaust Remembrance Day recognition; immediately responded to community safety concerns after the Bondi Beach massacre; quickly responded to community concerns regarding unlawful banners on a freeway overpass.

Select Endorsements

OC Lincoln Club, Noah Blom, Fullerton and Placentia Police Officers Associations

Tim Shaw

JCAN Perspective 🎗
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Response to Questionnaire 2026

Relevant Notes

Current trustee of OC Board of Education; steadfast supporter of the Jewish community; championed an OCBE letter endorsing AB715 to help ensure its successful enactment.

Select Endorsements

OCGOP, OC Register, California Women’s Leadership Association

Rose Espinoza

JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

No response given

Relevant Notes

Not provided.

Select Endorsements

N/A

OC Board of Supervisors — District 5

Katrina Foley (i)

JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

No response given

Relevant Notes

Supported Board recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day; spearheaded grant for transportation of OC students to Holocaust Museum.

Select Endorsements

DPOC 2026, OC Register

Diane Dixon

RepublicanCampaign WebsiteNo usable campaign email listedBallotpedia FacebookInstagram
JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Unable to send since no usable campaign email

Relevant Notes

Not provided.

Select Endorsements

OCGOP, Lincoln Club OC, California Republican Assembly, California Women’s Leadership Association

Lucy Vellema

NonpartisanCampaign WebsiteNo usable campaign email listed Instagram
JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Unable to send since no usable campaign email

Relevant Notes

Not provided.

Select Endorsements

N/A

OC Board of Education — Trustee Area 5

Lisa Sparks (i)

JCAN Perspective 🎗
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Response to Questionnaire 2026

Relevant Notes

Supported district development of non-antisemitic ethnic studies curriculum; supported the adoption of the OC Jewish Federation’s Student-to-Student program as a county-wide program; supported AB715.

Select Endorsements

OCGOP, OC Sheriff Don Barnes

Jason Sams

JCAN Perspective
Questionnaire / Outreach Status

Response to Questionnaire 2026

Relevant Notes

Not provided.

Select Endorsements

N/A